Copy holder



April 18, 1939. L. WVSHAFER COPY HOLDER 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 22, 1957 Ottawa/1;

Patented Apr. 18, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE COPY HOLDER ration of Delaware Application November 22, 1937, Serial No. 175,802

17 Claims.

My invention relates to copyholders, and more particularly to a means for retaining a copyholder in position relative to a typewriting or like machine. I

One of the main objects of my invention, generally stated is to provide a simple, improved, highly efiicient and reliable means for localizing and retaining a copyholder in position of operation relative to a typewriting or like machine.

Another object of my invention is toprovide fastening means of the character specified which automatically adjusts itself to a holding position to retain the copyholder in fixed relation to the typewriting machine. 15 A further object of my invention is to provide a retaining means of the character specified which may be readily released from its effective position and shifted to a folded ineffective position to permit the ready removal of the copyholder from its position relative to a typewriting machine.

A still further object of my invention is to provide a retaining means for a copyholder which may readily be operated from a folded position of non-use to a position where it automatically coacts with the lower edge of the frame of a typewriting machine regardless of the height of said lower edge of the frame from the top of the desk or support therefor.

To the above and other ends which will hereinafter appear, my inventionconsists in the features of construction, arrangements of parts and combinations of devices set forth in the following description and particularly pointed out in the appended claims. 4

In the drawings, wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts in the different views:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary side elevational view of 40 a copyholder equipped with the devices of my invention, the view illustrating the copyholder in its position of operation relative to a portion of the side frame of a typewriting machine.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary, horizontal sectional view of the parts shown in Fig. 1 the section being taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1 and viewed in the direction of the arrows at said line.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged, fragmentary sectional view of a part of the retaining mechanism shown in its effective position, the section being taken on line 33 of Fig. 2 and viewed in the direction of the arrows at said line.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged, fragmentary sectional view of the same taken on line 4--4 of Fig. 2

and viewed in the direction of the arrows at said line.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged, fragmentary sectional View of the parts shown in Fig. 1 the section being taken on line 55 of Fig. 1 and viewed in the direction of the arrows at said line. Y

I have shown my invention embodied in the present instance in a Remington standard model Line-a-time copyholder, in which the features of the present invention may be readily incorporated with but few changes in the existing structure. However, it is to be understood that my invention is not restricted to embodiment in such specific type of copyholder, but may be employed in various other types of copyholders and like structures wherever found available.

I have shown in the accompanying drawings only so much of the usual construction of the Remington standard model Line-a-time as is necessary to arrive at a complete understanding of my invention in its embodiment therein and also have shown only so much of a typewriting machine as is advantageous to illustrate the cooperation of the devices of the present invention therewith.

The base of the standard model Line-a-time copyholder includes a rear angular metal base strip or member In which is shown in part in Fig. 2. To this base strip I is secured the usual upright support I l forthe copyholding mechanism. The copyholding mechanism may be of the usual construction employed in standard model Line-a-time copyholders or any other desired construction, and it is not affected or altered in any manner by the incorporation of the devices of the present invention.

A forwardly extending supporting member of the copyholder in the form of a pressed metal upright frame [2 is attached to the right-hand end of the rear base strip H]. In the present instance, this frame or member I2 is pivotally attached to the rear base strip ID in a manner to permit the member l2 to be swung into a collapsed position along and parallel with the rear base strip l0 to facilitate the storing or the packing of the copyholder for shipping purposes. This pivotal connection is of the usual construction which, as shown in Figs. 2 and 5, includes a bracket I3 attached to the frame l2, which bracket l3 straddles a bracket l i attached to the rear base strip [0 with a pivot screw passing through the brackets l3 and M and threaded into the rear base strip II]. In order to hold the frame member [2 in its forward or normal position of use a latch pin I6 is provided a or normal position as shown.

The frame member I2 when inxits normal position functions to support the copyholding mechanism mounted. on the rear base strip III in an upright position and also forms a support for the usual copyholder operating lever. an operating lever 2| is pivotally mounted at its central portion by a pivot screw I9 carried between the inner surface of the frame I2 and an offset bracket I2 (see Fig.5) which is attached to the frame I2. The forward end of the operating lever 2| forms a fingerpiece 'or handle for operating the copyholding mechanism,,while the extreme rearward'end thereof is connected in the usual manner by a ball and socket joint 2|! (see Figi 5'): to, a pivoted actuating lever I8. The copyholder in the present instance is of the type wherein-the copy" to be transcribed is carriedby'a movable copy carrying member or plate which is shown'in part at 22 in Fig. 1, which at-a time pasta fixed guide or line indicator which is not shown in; the drawings.

In using a copyholder of the present construction, the substantially L-shaped base provided by the members I0 and IZ-is placed with the mem berlItalong orjparallehwith the rear of the frame of a-typewriting "machine, whereas 'the member I2 is'pla'ced along and parallel with the right-hand side ofthe base of the typewriting machine; The copyholder is usuallysupported uponthe same surface as the typewriting ma chine whichsurface may be the top of a desk or the likez- 'Iheusual resilient feet or pads 23 are provided onthemembers I II and I2.

' 1 In Figs. 1, 2 and'5 of theaccompanying drawingsfthe copyholder base comprising the membersJII'and Ills illustrated in the above de-, scribed position of operation with relation :to

I the usual feet 21. r a

The copyholding mechanism mounted above the 7 rear base member Ill may be extended to a considerable height; and accordingly it is necessary to provide a means for supporting the copyholder against being'accidentally tipped forwardly or rearwardly during operation. Inasmuch as the forwardly extending frame member I2 adequately supports the copyholder against tipping forwardly, the devices of the presentinvention are provided toretain the forwardlyextending frame member I2 upon its supporting surface and thereby prevent any possibility of the copyholder tippingin a rearward direction or to be otherwise displaced relatively tothe typewriting machine. I 7 r Thus in accordance with the present invention, a retaining means is provided on the forwardly extending frame: member I2 of the copyholder which may be readily manipulated to operate a retaining arm to a position engaging the lower.

edge of theright-hand side plate 24 of the typewriting machine." The retainingmeans then op- ThllS,

erates to automatically lock the forwardly extending frame member I2 against any upward I movement from its supporting surface or from otherwise being displaced relatively tothe typewriting 'machine. present invention is operable in the manner stated to retain the frame member. I2 of the copyholder upon its supporting surface by engagement of the retaining arm with the lower edge of the side plate of the typewriting machine regardless of the height of the lower edge of such side plate from the supporting surface as will hereinafter more clearly appear.

In the accompanying drawings, it may be seen that a vertical slot is provided in the vertical portion of the forwardly extending frame member I2 of'the copyholder, the Walls of which slot form a guide for aretaining carrier or slide mechanism. This carrier includes in the present instance an L-shaped bracket 3| disposed outside the frame member I2 and a similar L-shaped bracket 32 arranged-inside the frame member I2. Thebrackets 3| and 32 are sufficiently wide to overlie the walls of the slot 30, andthe vertical portions thereof are retained in spaced parallel relationship by' two screws 33'vertically spaced apartand threaded into the inner bracket 32. The-stem of each of, the screws 33 is surrounded by a companion collar 34 which extends through the slot 3t and is of a proper diameter to enable them to slide easily in said slot. The bracket 3| is provided with holes receiving the outer ends of the collars 34,.an'd the bracket 3| is retained The retaining means of the a adjacent the outer wall of the frame I2 by the enlarged heads of the screws 33.

.I'heupriervoutwardly turned end 3% of the V bracket 3| forms a finger. piece for operating the carrier downwardly in the slot 30. The upper horizontally turned end 32 of the bracket 32 is provided with an opening receiving the shouldered portion of a headed screw 36 which passes down-1 wardly through an openingjin a collar 31 and is.

threaded into a tapped opening in the end of a horizontal retaining arm or member 38.. The retaining 'arm or member 38. is thus pivotally mounted by the screw 36'to swing between a. position of non-useagainst the inner wall of the frame member I2 and an operativeposition wherein it extends at right angles to the wall of the frame member I2 and the side wall of the frame of the typewriting machine. 7

A spring means is provided to normally urge the carrier mechanism including the retaining arm 38 upwardly in the slot 39 or toward the dotted line position shown in Fig. '5. r This spring meansin the present instance is in theform of a wire spring 4!] shaped as shown in Fig. 4, which is attached at its lower end by ascrew 4 I threaded into the lower portion of the frame member I2 and the other end thereof is turned upwardly to enter an opening in the horizontally bent portion 32 of theinner bracket'32.

The spring 40 thus tends to move the carrier mechanism upwardly in the guide slot 30 and also tends to effect an upward movement of the re-.

writer frame 24 and resists any tendency of the retaining arm 38 to move relative thereto.

Referring to Fig. 5, it will be seen that when the retaining arm 38 is thus moved upwardly by the spring 40 to engage the lower edge of the typewriter frame 24, the force of the spring 49 tends to tilt bracket 32 relative to the frame l2. In other words, the spring 40 effects a slight pivotal movement of carrier mechanism and the retaining arm 38 about the point of engagement of the retaining arm with typewriter frame 24, which slight pivotal movement is allowed by the small space between the walls of the frame l2 and the brackets 3i and 32. Thus, when the retaining arm 38 engages the typewriter frame 2%, the bracket 32 will be disposed relative to the frame l 2 substantially as shown in Fig. 3, wherein it will be seen that the only point of contact between the bracket 32 and the inner wall of the frame member I! is at the extreme lower edge of the bracket 32. Thus any tendency for the forwardly extending frame member I? to move upwardly relative to the typewriting machine will cause the extreme lower edge of the bracket 32 to press inwardly on the inside vertical surface of the frame l2.

Referring to Fig. 3, it may be seen that portions 32 at the lower end of the bracket 32 which contact the frame member I2 are bent inwardly to form a substantially knife-edge contact with the frame member l2. Thus when the retaining arm 38 is pressed into engagement with the typewriter frame 24 by the spring 4!], any tendency of the frame member It. to move upwardly from its supporting surface will cause the knife edge portions 32' to more securely grip the inner vertical surface of the frame member I 2 and thus securely lock the bracket 32 against any downward movement relative to the frame member I2.

In this manner, the present mechanism constitutes a self adjusting retaining means which operates automatically by the engagement of the retaining arm 36 with the frame of a typewriting machine to lock the forwardly extending frame member If of the copyholder against any upward movement from its supporting surface,-

thereby preventing the copyholder from tipping in a rearward direction or from otherwise being displaced relative to the typewriting machine.

It will be clear that the present retaining means operates equally well regardless of the height of the lower edge of the typewriter frame from the supporting surface. In other words, the retaining mechanism will lock itself automatically to the frame member 12 at any point in its travel in the slot as where the upward movement of the retaining arm 38 is resisted by engagement with the typewriter frame, thereby automatically adjusting itself to the typewriting machine with which it is used, regardless of the distance between the lower edge of the frame thereof and the supporting surface for the typewriting machine and copyholder.

Referring to Fig. 3, it will be clear that the retaining arm 38 may be moved downwardly out of contact with the side frame 24 of the typewriting machine by manually pressing downwardly on the outward end of the finger piece 35* of the bracket 3!. This downward pressure at the outer end of the finger piece 3P will release the gripping action of the portions 32 of the bracket 32 with the frame member l2 by moving the upper end of the bracket 32 toward the frame member l2, thereby allowing the retaining mechanism to be manually moved downwardly against the force of the spring 46.

As previously stated the retaining arm 38 is pivotally mounted, in the present instance, to swing from the retaining position to a folded position of non-use, such as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2. Thus, when the retaining arm has been released and the copyholder has been removed from its normal position of operation rela tive to the typewriting machine, the retaining arm 38 may be moved about its pivot 35 to a position substantially parallel with the forwardly extending frame member l2. In such a folded position of non-use, the retaining arm will not interfere with the movement of the frame member I2 about the pivot 5 to its folded position of non-use along the rear member H].

In placing the copyholder in its position of operation relative to the typewriting machine, the retaining arm 3% may be retained in its folded position out of engagement with the frame of the typewriting machine. In order to avoid the necessity of manually operating the retaining arm 38 about its pivot 35 after the copyholder is in place relatively to the typewriting machine, a means is provided in the present instance for automatically swinging the arm to its retaining position beneath the frame of the typewriting machine by a full depression of the finger piece 3!. Thus, as may be seen in Figs. 2 and 4, a'cam strip :26 is secured, as by spot welding in an angular position to the inside vertical sur-' strip 45 flares away'from the frame l2 to form a camming surface coacting with the forward edge of the retaining arm 38 as it is moved downwardly.

It will be clear therefore, that as the finger piece ti is pressed downwardly by the operator, the forward edge of the retaining arm 38 will slide along the rearward and inward sloping surface of the cam strip 33 to swing the retaining arm about its pivot 35 to a position extending sub stantially at right angles to the frame member l2. Referring to Fig. 2, it may be seen that the retaining arm 38 is prevented from swinging beyond this normal position at right angles to the frame l2 and to the side of the typewriter frame by a corner portion 38 which engages the side of the bracket 32.

It will be seen that I have thus provided a simple and highly effective means for localizing and retaining a copyholder in position of operation relative to a typewriting or like machine. The retaining means in the present instance operates automatically to hold the copyholder upon its supporting surface by the engagement of a retaining arm 38 with the lower edge of the typewriter frame under the force of the spring 40 when the finger piece 3W is released. This together with the ability of the retaining means to operate equally well regardless of height of the lower edge of the typewriter frame from the supporting surface constitutes important features of the present invention. Another important feature of the present retaining means is the provision of a pivoted retaining arm which may be readily operated to a folded position of non-use and which is automatically operated to its normal effective position by a downward operation of the retaining mechanism against the force of the spring 49.

Various changes may be made in the construction and certain features thereof may be omitted, without departing from my invention as it is defined in the accompanying claims.

.What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. The combination of a copyholder, and retaining means, for retaining the copyholder in position relative to a typewriting or like machine, said retaining means comprising a self adjusting retaining member cooperative with a typewriting machine, and holding means placed'in.

operative condition by the cooperation of said retaining member with the typewriting machine to positively lock said retaining member against displacement from said self adjusted position.

2. The combination of a copyholder, and retaining means for retaining the copyholder in position relative to a typewriting or like machine, said retaining means comprising an automatically operating self adjusting retaining member cooperative with a typewriting machine, and automatically operating holding means placed in operative condition by the cooperation of said retaining member with the typewriting machine to positively lock said retaining member against displacement from said self adjusted position.

' matically operating self adjusted retaining member cooperative with a typewriting machine, automatically operating holding means placed in operative condition by the cooperation of said retaining member with the typewriting machine to positively lock said retaining member against displacement from said self adjusted position,

and manually controlled means for releasing the retaining member from said holding means and for displacing it from its self adjusted position.

4. The combination of a copyholder, and retaining means for retaining the copyholder in position relative to a typewriting or like machine, said retaining means comprising a spring actuated self adjusting retaining member cooperative witha typewriting or like machine,

automatically operating holding means for positively locking said retaining member in its self adjusted position when it makes contact with a typewriting or like machine, and manually ac- -tuated means operable at will for freeing said retaining member from its said holding means. 5. The combination with a copyholder of retaining means for retaining the copyholder in position relative to a typewriting or like machine, said retaining means comprising a retaining member cooperative with said machine, spring means for moving said retaining member into contact with said machine, and means other than said spring for holding the retaining member against return movement from said position of contact with said machine.

6. The combination of a copyholder, and re- I taining means for retaining the copyholder in position relative to a typewriting or like machine, said retaining means comprising a retaining arm adapted to move intoand out of contact with said machine and mounted for bodily and pivotal movement, and automatically operatingmeans for transmitting a pivotal movementto saidarm when it is given a bodily movement.

'7. The combination of a copyholder, and retaining means for retaining the copyholder in position relative to a typewriting or like machine, said retaining means comprising a re- 8. The combination of a copyholder, and means 7 for retaining the copyholder in position relative to a typewriting or like machine including a retaining member mounted for movement on said copyholder, spring means arranged to engage said retaining member with the lower edge of the side plate of the frame of said machine, andmeans operable by said engagement of the retaining member to prevent a return movement of said retaining member relative to said copyholder. 7

9. In a copyholder, the combination of a base therefor, and means for retaining the copyholder in position relative to a typewriting or like machine, including a retaining arm mounted. for vertical movement on said base,,spring means arranged to engage said retaining arm with said machine, means operable by said engagement of the retaining arm to prevent downward movement of said retaining arm relative to said base, and means for manually moving said retaining arm out of said engagement.

10. In a copyholder, the combination of a base therefor, and means for retaining the copyholder in position relative to a typewriting or like machine including a carrier mounted for movement on said base, a retaining arm pivotally mounted on said carrier, spring means acting on said car rier to engage said retaining arm with said machine, means on said carrier operable by said engagement of the retaining arm to prevent movement of the carrier relative to said base, and means for manually releasing said retaining arm from said engagement.

11. In a copyholder, the combination of a base therefor, and means'for retaining the copyholder in position relative to a typewriting or like machine including a carrier mounted for movement on said base, a retaining arm pivotally mounted to swing on said carrier to and from a position engageable with said machine, spring means a.c=t-. ing to move said retaining arm against said machine, means for locking said carrier to said base when said retaining arm is moved against said machine, and means on said base for moving said retaining arm about its pivot to effective position by movement of said carrier against the force of movement of said carrier relative to said base in the direction opposed to the force of said spring when movement of said retaining arm under the force of said spring is arrested by engagement of the arm with a relatively stationary member.

13. In a copyholder, the combination of a base therefor, and retaining means for the copyholder including a carrier mounted for movement on said base, a retaining arm pivotally mounted on said carrier for movement between a position substantially parallel with said base to a position substantially at right angles to said. base, spring means acting to move said carrier on said base, means operable by movement of said carrier against the force of said spring to move said retaining arm to a position substantially at right angles to said base, and means operable upon the arrest of the movement of said retaining arm under the force of said spring to prevent relative movement between said carrier and base.

14. In a copyholder, the combination of a base therefor, and retaining means for the copyholder including an arm mounted for movement relative to said base, spring means. acting to move said arm on said base, and means operating at any point of arrest in. the movement of said arm under the force of said spring means to prevent a return movement of the arm against the force of said spring means.

15. In a copyholder, the combination of a base therefor, and retaining means for the copyholder including an arm mounted for movement relative to said base, spring means acting to move said arm on said base, means operating at any point in the movement of said arm under the force of said spring means to prevent a return movement of the arm against the force of said spring means, and means for manually releasing and moving said arm against the force of said spring means.

16. In a copyholder, the combination of a base therefor, and retaining means for the copyholder including a carrier mounted for vertical movement on said base, spring means acting upwardly on said carrier, an arm on said'carrier'extending at one side of said base and operable to tilt said carrier relative to said base when upward movement of the arm is resisted, gripping means operable by said tilting of the carrier to prevent downward movement of said carrier relative to said base, and a finger piece on said carrier extending on the opposite side of said base from said arm and operable to move said carried downwardly relative to said base.

17. In a copyholder, the combination of a base therefor, and retaining means for the copyholder including a carrier mounted for vertical movement on said base, spring means acting upwardly on said carrier, an arm pivotally mounted on said carrier to swing between a position extending substantially parallel with said base and a position extending substantially transversely of said base and operable to tilt said carrier relative to said base when upward movement of the arm is resisted, gripping means operable by said tilting of the carrier to prevent downward movement of said carrier relative to said base, and a finger piece on said carrier extending on the opposite side of said base from said arm and operable to release and move said carrier downwardly relative to said base, and means on said base operable by a downward movement of said carrier to swing said arm to said position extending substantially transversely of said base.

LEWIS W. SHAFER. 

